Weird water pressure issue in house... tenants moving in today, any ideas? (w/pics)

[DonL]

@ don: There is not a main shutoff at the house, the valve at the street is open all the way.

@ captain dipshit: Yes, since the pressure would rise when the water was off (for that initial 1 second spurt when i turned the faucet on, before it dropped to weak) it probably means the PRV is defective, and that would also explain the lack of a leak from the T/P. I'm going to leave it for now, because as far as i know the only problem it would cause would be a possible fluctuation in house pressure.

LOL.

That is a bit funny.

I would not call a moderator a name like that, But that is a bit funny. You need to be happy here, and come back soon.

hj has some balls and tells it like it is. No reason to bash him. I like to call it like I see it also.

Sounds like you have it under control.


Have Fun, Everyone.

 

[DonL]

Rebuilding a PRV is usually a "fool's errand", because it may not work and then you still have to replace it.

That may be true.

I am a fool when it comes to a $20 kit and not needed to take the plumbing apart to replace it.

I may save $100, if it works, if not I will be out $20.

You can not even get a valve like that anymore, It has real brass.


You do need a few skills to do the job properly, O and the proper tools.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Tireshark]

How high does the pressure spike? You risk ruptured supply lines and property damage if left ignored.

You can see how much the pressure difference was in the videos of the kitchen/sink faucets being turned on. Here they are again:

Flow at kitchen sink (two turns)

Flow at bathroom sink (two turns)

But i know that probably doesnt tell you much... i need to buy a pressure gauge and check it that way now that i have adjusted the PRV.

 

[LLigetfa]

Get one with a tattler needle. On some municipal systems the pressure might spike at night when usage is low and they are pumping hard to fill the water tower.

 

[DonL]

You can see how much the pressure difference was in the videos of the kitchen/sink faucets being turned on. Here they are again:

Flow at kitchen sink (two turns)

Flow at bathroom sink (two turns)

But i know that probably doesnt tell you much... i need to buy a pressure gauge and check it that way now that i have adjusted the PRV.

So you have no meter ? pressure gauge ?

You are just guessing.

Pressure is different than flow.

Two Turns on one valve may not be the same flow as 2 turns on another. What model lets you turn it 2 full turns ? Sounds like they need to be replaced.

You need to measure the pressure coming into the house.

Then measure the pressure after your PRV.

Then you go from there. You need to start from ground zero.

If you have low flow after you get the pressure adjusted, then that is another problem.

Not having a expansion tank is another issue, That should be corrected.

You are making it harder than you need to.


A meter is about $10 and most cheap ones are junk. Get a good one, and quit guessing.

 

[LLigetfa]

Pressure is different than flow...

LOL... very commonly confused.
A fire hose and a water pistol can both have the same pressure.
Poor flow is often compensated for by increasing the pressure.

 

[LLigetfa]

So you have no meter ?

In the world of water, a meter is generally used to measure quantity of flow. A gauge is used to measure pressure.

 

[DonL]

In the world of water, a meter is generally used to measure quantity of flow. A gauge is used to measure pressure.

Yep.

I use a amp probe / Meter to measure flow normally. Or a snow drift can check for Range.

My mistake.

 

[Tireshark]

Two Turns on one valve may not be the same flow as 2 turns on another. What model lets you turn it 2 full turns ? Sounds like they need to be replaced.

When i wrote 'two turns' i meant that i was turning the faucet on and off twice so that people could see the pressure build up after the faucets were off. That was so no one would stop the video after i turned it on and off the first time.

You are making it harder than you need to.

A meter is about $10 and most cheap ones are junk. Get a good one, and quit guessing.

I turned the screw and it works and therefore im finished messing with it... thats about as easy i can make it.

I only continued to talk about the pressure because lligetfa asked me a question about it. Truth is im probably not going to do anything else unless i get a complaint or the house floods... whichever comes first.

 

[DonL]

When i wrote 'two turns' i meant that i was turning the faucet on and off twice so that people could see the pressure build up after the faucets were off. That was so no one would stop the video after i turned it on and off the first time.



I turned the screw and it works and therefore im finished messing with it... thats about as easy i can make it.

I only continued to talk about the pressure because lligetfa asked me a question about it. Truth is im probably not going to do anything else unless i get a complaint or the house floods... whichever comes first.

If it is working then all is good. I do not fix stuff until it is broke, unless I really need to fix it. lol

Everyone was just trying to help.

It is Great that you stuck around to take the abuse.


It is just a trick we play, to make sure new users are up to the chore.


You passed, but could use a little tweaking.


73

 

[Tireshark]

I got somethin' you can tweak.

 

[DonL]

I got somethin' you can tweak.

Your PRV ?

 

[Tireshark]

Yes pls.

I cant pay you anything, but you can borrow my weedeater whenever you want.

 

[FullySprinklered]

Is everybody awake now?

 

[DonL]

Yes pls.

I cant pay you anything, but you can borrow my weedeater whenever you want.

I have a few weedeaters. They Never seem to start when I need them.

Can I use your weedeater and get it running for you ?

I am awake now.

I work for Beer.

 

[hj]

quote; n the world of water, a meter is generally used to measure quantity of flow.

Now you are getting pedantic.

 

[JerryR]

Truth is im probably not going to do anything else unless i get a complaint or the house floods... whichever comes first.

I'm not sure you understand. Based in your videos you have a leaking PRV. Any time there is no flow it allows the house pressure to rise to street pressure. Once water flows only then does it reduce pressure.

If you have a meter with backflow or backflow device between you and the street you risk even exceeding street pressure when water heater fires up unless you have a functioning expansion tank. All this has the potential of bursting an old washing machine hose.

You should fix or replace your PRV and if you don't have an expansion tank get one installed.

 

[DonL]

I'm not sure you understand. Based in your videos you have a leaking PRV. Any time there is no flow it allows the house pressure to rise to street pressure. Once water flows only then does it reduce pressure.

If you have a meter with backflow or backflow device between you and the street you risk even exceeding street pressure when water heater fires up unless you have a functioning expansion tank. All this has the potential of bursting an old washing machine hose.

You should fix or replace your PRV and if you don't have an expansion tank get one installed.

If it was my place I would do it right. But it is not my money.

It normally ends up costing a lot more when all of the pipes start leaking.

The washing machine hoses are the least of the worries.

 

[LLigetfa]

...But it is not my money.

If insurance covers the damage, it is your and my money in the end, paid out in higher premiums.

 

[DonL]

If insurance covers the damage, it is your and my money in the end, paid out in higher premiums.

Very true.

I started being self insured when the insurance companies started raising my rates, because people on the coast, build houses on the water, and lost their house, many times.


The best Insurance around here is 12 gauge with OO.